Is the Pope a Homophobic Bigot?

No.

But for some reason Austin Cline seems to think so.

http://atheism.about.com/b/2013/03/18/pope-francis-i-homophobic-bigot.htm

In support of the shocking claim, Austin quotes a letter where Francis (then a Cardinal) asks for prayer concerning a vote on gay marriage in Argentina. His statements are entirely consistent with the Catholic Cathechism, and his beliefs related to homosexuality are no different than the beliefs of every single pope, without exception who has preceeded him.

The question is this.  Is there a difference between someone who earnestly, and thoughtfully believes that something is morally wrong (i.e., homosexuality) and someone who is a bigot?

Bigot is defined as follows:

a person who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially: one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance.

However, in terms of Francis' regard or treatment, there is strong evidence to suggest that he has shown a great deal of kindness and compassion to homosexuals, particularly with his work with HIV sufferers and AIDS victims.

http://www.lifesitenews.com/blog/pope-francis-condemning-gay-marriage-while-kissing-aids-patients-feet

It doesn't sound like he was treating those people with hatred and intolerance.

Imagine three people, who hold varying opinions:

1) A Ku Klux Klan member who believes that black people are inferior and who actively participates in lynching people to death, for no other reason than the color of their skin.  This is the person who has traditionally carried the title of "bigot" or "racist."

2) Someone in the South, say in the 1970's who believed that marriage between a white man and a black woman (or vice versa) was morally wrong.  This person might (or might not) be vocal in their opinion... they probably not be willing to date someone of a different color... but they probably weren't violent about it. 

3) A catholic minister who has dedicated his life to service and from all accounts, is a man who loves God and loves people, giving freely of himself in amazing ways.  He believes that sexual expression outside of marriage is a sin - in the sense that it is harmful to the individual participating in it... and that would extend to heterosexual as well as homosexual couples.

Are we really prepared to lump all three of these people into the same category?

It seems to me that the way bigot has been used in the past would apply well to 1, would be shaky and not often applied to 2 and would not at all apply to 3. 

Francis isn't lynching lesbian couples - he just isn't.  Is it really to be considered bigotry to hold an opinion that differs from your own? 

When you take into consideration the love Francis shows the poor... and the homosexual poor... I don't think you can use the same word that we use for the KKK and still be in bounds.

Homophobic bigot means fearful and aggressively and actively showing hatred to... and the evidence doesn't bear up.